Tony Yankel, president of the OLG serving Lake, Cuyahoga and Ashtabula and all other Ohio shoreline counties, responded: "This decision stood up for the most fundamental of all property rights -- ownership of what is specified on a deed."

In Lucci's decision about the boundary lines separating public and private land on the shoreline, the judge wrote that Ohio "has ownership in trust of the water of Lake Erie and the land beneath those waters landward as far as the water's edge, but no farther." The dispute revolves around whether private property to the water's edge can be taken without the state paying the landowners fair compensation.

The court arguments also get complicated over how to define public and private rights in a shoreline which often sees water levels drop and change.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources originally tried to get the OLG lawsuit assigned to a federal court, which ordered it sent to Lucci.

Gov. Ted Strickland was among those who originally appealed. He later dropped his opposition and said he would yield to whatever is outlined in property deeds and after courts resolve the dispute.

Continuing the appeal were former Ohio Attorney General Marc Dann (succeeded by Richard Cordray), the National Wildlife Federation and Ohio Environmental Council. The latter two groups include fishermen, waterfowl hunters and birders who walk beaches.

Grendell wrote only that she "concurs," but with no comment. The Ohio Supreme Court earlier ruled that she can make a judgment on the appeal even though her husband, state Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, proposes state laws in favor of groups like the Ohio Lakefront Group. The Ohio House of Representatives has approved a Grendell bill, now pending in the Ohio Senate, to grant private landers their rights.

Cannon wrote that he concurs "with the majority opinion as the overall disposition of the case," but added that he dissents "in part" with some claims that the state attorney general shouldn't be involved with the case.

"As acknowledged by the majority (O'Toole and Grendell), it is clear the citizens of the state of Ohio have an interest in the public trust portion of the water of Lake Erie. Consequently, they are entitled to representation," Cannon wrote.

An Ohio Lakefront Group official on Monday declined comment. But the OLG earlier stated that it hopes Lucci's ruling "puts an end to this ridiculous government taking of private property."